Foundations and Federalism

Salutary Neglect

An English policy of not strictly enforcing laws in its colonies

Enlightenment

a movement that emphasized science and reason as guides to help see the world more clearly

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Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

Seven Years War

Began as a territory struggle in America and escalated into global war between Britain and France. Resulted in Britain becoming dominant European power in North America and doubled British debt.

Taxation without representation

the idea that it is unfair to tax someone without giving them a voice in government

Stamp Act

1765; law that taxed printed goods, including: playing cards, documents, newspapers, etc. One of the initial acts that upset American colonists and sparked protest.

Declaration of Independence

Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries; it declared the United States as a free state. Purpose was to justify their revolution and appeal to foreign nations for aid.

Articles of Confederation

the first constitution of the United States. Created a system of government in which the states had too much power and the central government too little.

Shay's Rebellion

Rebellion of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution

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James Madison

"Father of the Constitution," Federalist leader, and fourth President of the United States.

Alexander Hamilton

United States statesman and leader of the Federalists

Thomas Jefferson

Primary author of the Declaration of Independence.

elite democracy

a model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making

Popular Democracy

A political system in which the citizens are involved as much as possible in making the decisions that affect their lives.

Tyranny

Cruel and oppressive government or rule

Madison Plan (Virginia Plan)

Called for a bicameral legislature in which the number of representatives for each state to be based upon the population of the state (giving large states power)

New Jersey Plan

called for a unicameral legislature in which each state would be equally represented (giving small states more power)

Great Compromise

Compromise over legislative representation. Called for an Upper House with equal representation to appease small states and a lower house with representation by population to appease large states.

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Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation purposes. Compromise between Southern and Northern states.

Importation Compromise

Congress could not prohibit the international slave trade until 1808. Compromise between Southern and Northern states.

Federalists

A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the American Constitution during the ratification debates.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee civil liberties. Added as a compromise between Federalists and Anti-Federalists to ensure ratification of the Constitution.

Article V

Part of the Constitution that outlines the amendment process

Unitary Government

A centralized government in which all government powers belong to a single, central agency.

Confederal Government

a form of government in which states hold power over a limited national government

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments. A principle of the Constitution.

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implied powers

Powers that Congress has assumed in order to better do its job. The Necessary and Proper clause is the basis for these powers.

Inherent Powers

Powers the Constitution is presumed to have delegated to the National Government because it is the government of a sovereign state within the world community

Prohibited Powers

the powers that are denied to the federal government

The Necessary and Proper Clause

constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

the Supreme Court upheld the power of the national government and denied the right of a state to tax the federal bank using the Constitution's supremacy clause. The Court's broad interpretation of the necessary and proper clause in allowing Congress to establish a national bank paved the way for later rulings upholding expansive federal powers

Tenth Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

Privileges and Immunities Clause

prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.

reserved powers

Powers given to the state government alone (10th Amendment)

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Commerce Clause

The clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.

Cooperative Federalism

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly.

Dual Federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

categorical grants

Federal grants for specific purposes, such as constructing a highway

block grants

Federal grants given to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services

Federal Mandates

regulations that the national government imposes on state and local governments, sometimes unfunded

Devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states